World Cup Expansion to 48 Teams Devalues Game, Says Ghana Coach Queiroz

Ghana's national football team head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has voiced strong disapproval regarding FIFA's expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams. The veteran tactician argues that this change has diminished the importance of the qualification process, rendering the prestigious tournament "vulgar and ordinary."

This current edition marks the debut of the 48-team format, a significant departure from the 32-team structure that had been in place since 1998. The decision to enlarge the tournament was made in 2017, largely championed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino justified the expansion by citing increased "access," aiming to allow more countries and fans to experience the world's most popular sporting event. However, detractors suggest that Infantino's true motives were to boost FIFA's financial earnings and solidify his leadership within the global football body.

Queiroz, whose coaching career spans over four decades and includes managing 11 different national teams, made history when Ghana defeated Panama 1-0 in Toronto on June 17. At 73, he became the oldest coach to secure a victory in a World Cup match. This win, coupled with a hard-fought draw against England last week, ensured Ghana's progression to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams. Despite this accomplishment, the former Manchester United assistant coach remains unconvinced that any team finishing third in their group should advance beyond the initial phase.

Speaking to reporters after Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Croatia in Philadelphia on Saturday, Queiroz stated his philosophy: “I believe that value comes when things are rare. The number of teams that can qualify for this competition can turn it into something vulgar and ordinary. When so many teams can qualify, is the value still rare? That would seem debatable to me but it is only my opinion.”

Queiroz took up the managerial role for Ghana in April, making him only the second coach, after the legendary Bora Milutinovic, to appear in five consecutive World Cups. His previous stints included leading Portugal in 2010 and Iran in the subsequent three tournaments. He also guided South Africa at the 2002 World Cup.

Commenting on the ease of qualification for some regions, Queiroz remarked, “The real success now in South America would be in not qualifying.” This was a direct reference to the fact that six out of South America’s ten teams now gain direct entry to the World Cup, with the seventh-placed team having an additional opportunity through inter-confederation play-offs. He further queried, “Who did not qualify in Europe? The qualification tournaments start to lose their significance if everyone qualifies. Qualification should be serious, it should be very tough, very competitive. The World Cup should be something with meaning and significance. It should be rare. But, as you know, today money talks in the game. Where we used to talk about football, it is now moneyball.”